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Regular version of the site
Master 2020/2021

Methodological Research Seminar

Type: Compulsory course (Economics: Research Programme)
Area of studies: Economics
When: 1 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies: offline
Instructors: Alexander Tarasov, Alexey Zakharov
Master’s programme: Academic Economics
Language: English
ECTS credits: 5
Contact hours: 56

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course targets 1st year MA students (research track) who already know the key principles of economic thinking, are familiar with the core disciplines (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Econometrics) and have the skills to solve theoretical models and process data. The course is in a form of weekly seminars (160 minutes each). The main activities include: (1) lectures, (2) discussions, (3) students’ presentations and (4) written assignments. The discipline is instructed in English.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • Learn how research papers are written
  • Train to read manuscripts critically and efficiently, summarize and review them
  • Study how to understand a new field, in the absence of a textbook
  • Know how to judge the value of different contributions and identify promising research directions
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Learn how to evaluate and critically assess research papers
  • Understand what shapes good and publishable projects
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • How to Formulate a Research Question
  • Economic Journals
  • Where to Get Economic Data
  • How to Structure a Research Paper
  • How to Write a Referee Report
  • How to Write a Research Proposal
  • Presenting a Pre-Selected Paper and Preparing a Referee Report on It
  • Preparing a Research Proposal
  • Discussion
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Presenting two pre-selected papers
  • non-blocking In-class activity and attendance
  • non-blocking Preparing a research proposal (text and presentation)
    This acitvity includes writing a short text and presenting a research proposal in class
  • non-blocking Preparing a referee report on a research proposal written by a classmate
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (2 module)
    0.25 * In-class activity and attendance + 0.1 * Preparing a referee report on a research proposal written by a classmate + 0.25 * Preparing a research proposal (text and presentation) + 0.4 * Presenting two pre-selected papers
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Academic writing for graduate students : essential tasks and skills, Swales, J. M., 2012
  • Mostly harmless econometrics : an empiricist's companion, Angrist, J. D., 2009

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • A guide for the young economist : writing and speaking effectively about economics, Thomson, W., 2001